A two-hour delay caused by a surprise thunderstorm the night before only heightened the anticipation at Saturday’s Adults’ Parade and, as the skies cleared and the sun peeked through, the air crackled with renewed energy and an unexpected delight – a celebratory champagne toast in the heart of Post Office Square.
Of course, Parade Grand Marshal William “Champagne” Chandler would have it no other way, as he made his way into the square on foot, preceded by performers announcing his arrival.
“I told everyone today that the sun would be out, and God is good – he wanted everyone to see the splendor and mass,” said Chandler, a repeat King of the Band winner, and veteran of the Elskoe and Associates Troupe. Chandler is also widely known for his stunning costume designs and was, himself, shimmering Saturday in a feathered hat and iridescent blue-green waistcoat.
“I’m so overwhelmed,” he said when asked how he felt about the honor. “I didn’t see this coming – who would have thought,” he quipped.
Flanked by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Lieutenant Gov. Tregenza Roach and other dignitaries, Chandler pulled out a bottle of Veuve Clicquot after receiving his award, and offered up a Carnival toast – an Adults Parade first that set the perfect tone for a day filled with dazzling costumes, traditional troupes, and a symphony of feathers that shimmered in the gentle breeze.
In fact, it was Elskoe and Associates that first introduced feathers into the parade, Chandler said later. After a quick costume change, Chandler had swapped his headpiece for a crown, and spoke about the legacy of the troupe, whose theme this year centered on “Ancient Royalty.”
The beauty of the costumes was credited to long-time designer Alrid Lockhart, who Chandler said often stays up until “the wee hours” of the morning up till the day of, making sure each piece is complete. Lockhart’s designs, he added, have graced Carnivals and shows throughout the region.
“We are an older, more mature group and refuse to look like any other,” Chandler said.
The unique costumes of the Gypsies Carnival Troupe, the oldest in the parade, were also unlike any other Thursday. Paying homage to longtime member Theodora “Tedy” Moorehead, the group took inspiration from her passion for gardening, with twinkling pink flowers as headpieces, and stylish coveralls for the men.
“Everything just comes together,” coordinator Amber Knight said when asked how the troupe manages its more than 100 members, plus costumes and a dance routine, every year. “We are a family, working together each year to make this happen, and we look forward to just being with one another, and our community during Carnival.”
Another historic troupe, The Infernos, added that they also work together year-round to make their entry as unique as possible. The process starts in August, when a theme is decided upon, and runs through the last week before Carnival, when the costumes are distributed and practices are complete.
“With 150 people in the troupe, it definitely takes us about a year to prepare,” organizer Sherry Stapleton said, adding that their 2024 entry consisted of three sections that aimed to bring some “magic and mystic” to the road, from blue feathered creations representing water, to pink petals and winged designs mimicking butterflies.
And, to keep their members cool, one of the troupe’s trucks came complete with a misting mechanism.
“They just come in the back and we turn on the mist so they can re-energize,” she shared.
As he helped guide the Infernos up the parade route, member Darryl Donovan, Sr. also spoke about efforts to restore the King of the Band Competition. Years ago, the event was held on stage as a ticketed event, with fans of pageantry cheering on competitors displaying their elaborate costumes. Hundreds of troupe members would come to root for that year’s mascot.
Smaller versions of the contest entries appeared on the road at the Adult’s Parade.
Donovan was one of the last competitors to win the King of the Band title. He said if organizers can put the elements together, Infernos would make an appearance.
“Next year, once they put the King and Queen of the Band on stage, Infernos will be there to represent,” he said.
While not in a Queen of the Band costume, St. Thomas Ambassadorial Carnival Queen Majestik Freedom Estrada-Petersen still stunned in a dress that she said incorporated more than 1,000 iridescent crystals.
“This has been one of the best Carnivals I’ve ever experienced in my life,” she shared when asked how the season has treated her. “I’ve loved the Village lineup, and have had a great time going around and enjoying the company of our Virgin Islands community.”
Her platform built around the “power of human testimony,” Estrada-Petersen added that she and her court have been able to organize a variety of service events, including an ice cream social for fourth graders at Jane E. Tuitt Elementary, and a free concert for senior citizens at the Celestino A. White, Sr. Center. Her hope is to organize one event per month for the rest of the year.
“And to prepare for next year’s celebration, I also want everyone from the V.I. diaspora around the world to sink this island – come home for Carnival,” she added.
Judi Shimel also contributed to this story.
The Source offers its gratitude to Firstbank for sponsoring our Carnival coverage, along with Viya and Cardown Jewelers for their support along the parade route.
